ONE

Today is 1-1-11. (I know, you protest and say that it's really 01-01-2011 but my initial offering is also acceptable, so humor me).  I have long enjoyed numbers as well as words.  Both are placeholders for ideas.  So, I ONEder what significance there might be in the interpretation of today's date?

One interpretation might be the loneliness of being one (i.e., "one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do." [For the Harry Nilsson song, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haT8g7oKnns&feature=related ] [For the Three Dog Night version, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiKcd7yPLdU&feature=related ] I suggest you open these in a new tab). Is this depressing or what?

Another interpretation might be the divine aspects of "the One." Thus, today, might be seen as having some relationship to/with God. On the other hand, the number one is repeated 4X and the number four typically represents "earthly" concerns (i.e., the four corners of the world: N, S, E, W).


Circumcision of Christ by Rubens c1605

In the (recent) past, January 1st was a Holy Day of Obligation in the Roman Catholic Church in the USA to celebrate "The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God." However, in 2011 the obligation to attend mass has been abrogated since the day falls on a Saturday [http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/q&a/general/obligation.shtml ]. God forbid that RCs should be required to attend mass two days in a row. 

January 1, 2011 is also the 44th World Day of Peace (see: http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=8767 ). Again, this is something many of the RC churches in the USA ignore.  In any case, 1/1/11 is also a First Saturday (which the US Bishops also no longer pay any attention to. And some folks ONEder why the USA is in the shape it is in). 

If you enjoy contemplating numbers, then you might be interested to know that the MegaMillions Jackpot for the Tuesday drawing is now $290M.  And the Powerball drawing tonight (1-1-11) is for (only) $25M. If you win, you can give it all to the church.